Ride

We took a ride this morning. I always think of it as an old person thing to do, but we took rides even when we were young. We checked out a little campground near Rushford that is owned by a guy John works with. Wasn't impressed. This old schoolhouse was nearby. It's sad to think that in a few more years they will have all fallen apart and a generation won't know about them. I only attended a school like this for half a year, but it's a good memory. In the afternoon we'd get leftover milk and dry peanut butter sandwiches and then would put our heads down for a rest. And this was 5th grade. This looks like a two story school which I didn't think existed; probably because I'm not very observant. John said it was for the lower and upper grades ;) He actually went to a two story schoolhouse.

And there's my John picking me roadside flowers which he's been doing for years. Way better than expensive roses!!

This is a pretty valley road near us. It was nicely graded. We notice these things since John's been grading the township roads for years. Tanner has now taken over the grading and snowplowing so I texted him to tell him what a good job he'd done. I got a text back saying, "I love you!" Melt a mama's heart.

First Camping Trip

Mylah came with for her first camping trip at 5 weeks old. Her mom and dad are going to raise a go-with-the-flow girl. She camped well!

And she came with beautiful nails!

Most of the time she slept in the bed with Matt and Tessa, but one night we tried her in the clothes basket.

25 Years

Last weekend we attended a surprise anniversary party for Jon and Jody Speckeen. 25years of wedded bliss, 5 kids, and 2 (soon to be 3) grandkids. They cried--it was cute. Jon's sister, MaryKaye, made the cake to look like their original wedding cake. Jon, being sentimental, recognized that fact. Now, I ask you, what man remembers what his wedding cake looked like 25 years ago? They love each other well! I love being around the Speckeen families and am a "Speckeen Wanna-Be". Here's to many more years of bliss!

Sweetness

Words are not necessary......

Florida

The sisters have begun a new tradition--a week long stay by the ocean in April. After winter in MN, it's so nice to go where it's green and warm. We've stayed at the same place near Melbourne and love it. Lazy days were spent sitting on the beach, walking the beach, reading 2 1/2 books on my Kindle, hand sewing pieces for a quilt, a few movies, fairly healthy eating, and enjoying being together. There is such a wonderful bond between sisters that can't be found anywhere else. Being together is such an easy flow and joyful.

It was warmer this year than last and we noticed there were different birds, different shells, and different little bugs. The bugs loved Becky so she was bitten and itchy, but I can't think of one bad thing to say about a great week! We're booked for next year and I can't wait!

Showers of Blessings

Matt and Tessa had a baby shower in Northfield with Matt's family. I have a not-so-secret wish to be a Brage because they are such fun, nice people. They received lots of great gifts, we played fun games, ate delicious food, and generally had a blast!

Matt's mom and aunties.

The Day of Mylah

Mylah was breech so a c-section was planned. Here they are right before walking to the operating room. Matt was pleasantly surprised when he took his white paper suit out and it was long enough for his 6' 4" frame. Matt's mom, Kristie, and I waited in the room. Matt took lots of pictures of the whole procedure since he was tall enough to see clearly over the drape.

In a short time Matt brought Mylah back to the room for weighing and clean-up

May 17th we finally meet the girl we've been waiting for! She was 8 lbs. 8 oz. and 21 inches. PERFECT!!

And now there are three. Life as they know it will be changed forever--in a good way! They will be good parents.

In LOve

Yes, I am!!

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The sendoff

We had a sendoff for Grandma Jane a year after she died. There is a high point that overlooks our valley which was where we spread John's dad's ashes and Jane thot that would be a good place for hers too. She would have shaken her head and chuckled. We caravaned out there with 4 vehicles and 2 dogs were romping along. Jami brought glitter which we mixed in with the ashes, but the sun wasn't shining, so they didn't glitter. It was a good family thing to do. For the rest of the evening I was flooded with Jane memories that made me smile and tear up. I'm happy I will see her again in Heaven!

Namesake

John's mom, Jane, died last May 26th. In less than a year a new life has entered our family. Grandma Jane would have loved Mylah Jane. She was a great example to me of an involved grandma. I hope I can be a grandma like her.

Grandparents

Grandma Kristie

Grandma me

Grandpa John

Grandpa Jerry

It's a very strange and wonderful thing--your child having a child. And the child has a bit of all the generations that have come before within her. I've seen glimpses of many people in her face already--amazing!

Belly Cast

I wish I had known of such a thing when I was having babies. Tessa wanted to have a belly cast made before Mylah arrived. She bought pkgs. of gauze with plaster of paris in at Hobby Lobby. She greased herself with vaseline and Jami and Raychel plastered her.

A little help from the hair dryer. Raychel said it seemed lopsided and then we realized that it was because Mylah was living in that area that stuck out more.

This was a basement job.

Puka enjoyed having all the company, but probably thot we were all crazy.

Jami's Birthday

The beautiful, sparkly, vivacious, sweet, and kind Jami---who will soon be my daughter (in-law)!!

And there's that handsome, wonderful son of mine!

Flea market or something like it

John heard about this event and wanted to check it out. We were somewhere near LeSueur. I was disappointed we did not see the Green Giant--wherever he was. This was a good place to people watch! The majority of the stuff was old farm things with odd other things mixed in. People come with their golf carts and riding lawn mowers to go up and down the rows so they don't have to walk.

John didn't buy anything--luckily we went with a car which could not hold any BIG purchases. The day started out sunny and nice and turned cloudy, windy, and cold so we didn't stay very long.

These two chaps were having fun riding in this contraption that they couldn't steer very well.

Yep.....lots of potties. John and I went in the spacious handicap one together.